What Are Dental Veneers?
A veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front surface of a tooth. It changes the colour, shape and alignment of the tooth you see, without touching the back of it.
Veneers change how a front tooth looks rather than how it chews. For a tooth that needs strength back, your dentist fits a crown instead.
What Veneers Correct
- Chips and worn edges on front teeth
- Deep discolouration that whitening cannot lift
- Small gaps between teeth
- Teeth that look short, uneven or misshapen
- Slightly crooked teeth, where braces are more than you want
Veneers do not straighten teeth. They change the surface you see. Genuinely crooked teeth need orthodontic treatment to move them.
They also do nothing for decay or gum disease. Your dentist treats those first, because a veneer bonded over an unhealthy tooth simply hides a problem that carries on underneath.
Porcelain or Composite Veneers?
| Porcelain veneers | Composite veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| Made | In a laboratory | Shaped on the tooth |
| Visits | Two | One |
| Stain resistance | High | Lower |
| Lifespan | Longer | Shorter |
| Enamel removed | A thin layer | Little or none |
Composite veneers are close to dental bonding in both material and method. Porcelain costs more and lasts longer.
The Procedure: What to Expect
- Your dentist checks the teeth are healthy and discusses the shape and shade you want.
- A thin layer of enamel comes off the front of the tooth, so the veneer sits flush.
- An impression or scan goes to the laboratory, and you wear temporary veneers.
- At the second visit your dentist checks the fit and colour, then bonds them in place.
Ask to see the shade against your other teeth before your dentist bonds anything. Adjusting at that stage is easy.
Removing enamel cannot be undone. A tooth prepared for a veneer will always need one, so take the first decision slowly.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers last many years when you look after them. What shortens their life is usually the bond at the edge failing, or the gum receding to expose the join.
Grinding is the main risk. It chips porcelain and puts stress on the bond.
Caring for Veneers
- Brush twice daily and clean between your teeth every day
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
- Avoid biting nails, ice, pens and packaging
- Cut back on coffee, tea and red wine, which stain the bonded edges
- Come for regular check-ups so we can inspect the margins
Come back to us if a veneer chips, feels loose, or the gum around it turns sore.
Questions About Veneers
Can veneers be whitened? No. Porcelain and composite do not respond to whitening. Whiten your natural teeth first, then match the veneers to the new shade.
Do I need a veneer on every tooth? No. Many patients have two or four across the teeth that show most. Your dentist matches them to the teeth beside them.
Do veneers stain? Porcelain resists staining well. The bonded edge where the veneer meets the tooth can pick up colour over time, which is why coffee, tea and red wine still matter.
Are Veneers Right for You?
Veneers work best when the teeth underneath are healthy. Your dentist checks for decay and gum disease first, because a veneer bonded onto an unhealthy tooth will fail.
- Your gums are healthy and your teeth are free of active decay
- You have enough enamel left for the veneer to bond to
- You do not grind heavily, or you are willing to wear a night guard
- The change you want is cosmetic rather than structural
- You understand the enamel removal cannot be reversed
If you grind your teeth badly, your dentist may suggest treating that first. Bonding a veneer onto a tooth under heavy nightly load is asking it to fail early.
Whitening is worth trying before veneers if colour is your main concern. It costs less and removes no enamel.
Your dentist will talk you through what veneers can and cannot change on your particular teeth. Bring photographs of the look you want. It is far easier to agree on shape and shade before the laboratory starts than to adjust afterwards.
Related Reading
- Dental Bonding – the one-visit alternative
- Dental Crowns – when the tooth needs strength as well as appearance
- Porcelain Crowns – full coverage in tooth-coloured ceramic
- Teeth Whitening – try this before committing to veneers
- Cosmetic Contouring – reshaping enamel without adding anything